Mountain Lions in Iowa: What You Need to Know

The impressive mountain lion gets featured in stories, lore, and tall tales throughout America. Their ability to silently stalk their prey and quietly appear out of nowhere is enough to strike fear in everyone. But is the large cat as prolific as the stories make them sound? Yes…and no. It depends on where you live. So, if mountain lions are not as common as many believe, where do they live? Are there mountain lions in Iowa?

Below, we explore whether mountain lions live in Iowa and discuss various sightings. However, first, it is essential to understand what mountain lions are and where they like to live.

Mountain Lion Basics

The largest cat in North America, and the second largest in the Western Hemisphere, is the mountain lion (Puma concolor). It is in the Felidae (cat) family and is colloquially called a puma, cougar, panther, or catamount. 

They are solitary animals whose territories rarely overlap. Adult males and females will join forces during mating season, and females will care for their kittens until they are old enough to head out on their own. Other than that, the cats keep to themselves. They wander sizable territory, with adult males roaming up to 100 square miles and adult females sticking closer to 60 square miles. 

The impressive animals range from 80 to 225 pounds. And they can grow up to 9 feet long, although adult males average 7 feet long. Females typically weigh between 80 and 90 pounds, while males average 140 pounds. 

With beige, tawny fur, mountain lions can hide in nearly any environment. Their bellies and chests are usually white or gray. And they have some black on the tips of their tails, ears, snouts, and around their eyes.

Where do Mountain Lions Live?

Mountain lions live in the Western Hemisphere. They live in Canada, up to the Yukon, the United States, and Central and South America. Historically, there was a sizable population throughout the Americas. But logging, encroachment of human settlements and communities, and hunting decimated mountain lions.

Now, there are only 15 states in the U.S. with a known breeding population. Florida also has a small number of Florida panthers starting to come back. 

Mountain lions are not picky about their habitats as long as there is plenty of food. They prefer larger prey like deer and elk. But they will also eat smaller prey, including raccoons, coyotes, and mice. The predators will also target livestock or domestic cats and dogs if they are left unattended.

With abundant food, they happily live in wetlands, forests, deserts, and mountains. Additionally, mountain lions enjoy sea-level environments up to 10,000 feet in elevation. The elusive hunter needs an area that makes it easy for them to stalk their prey. This environment can include rocky outcrops, cliffs, trees, or thick brush. 

Mountain Lions and Their Historic Range in Iowa

Historically, Iowa did not have a large mountain lion population. There were far fewer mountain lions in Iowa than in surrounding states. And, like in most of the United States, settlers feared the predatory animal. They believed that mountain lions would threaten and possibly decimate livestock populations. And aggressive hunting practices ultimately wiped out the state’s mountain lion population. The last known mountain lion got killed in Appanoose County in 1867.

However, despite the feline’s official status, reports of sightings began again in the 1990s. And they have increased in regularity in the subsequent decades.

Mountain Lion Sightings in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources receives many reports of possible mountain lion sightings. It investigates all that have some form of physical evidence, such as photos, videos, or tracks. And it confirms roughly 1 to 2 sightings every year. Biologists believe these cats are likely wandering through, though they acknowledge some may stay for a while.

DNA and data about tooth age indicate the mountain lions appearing in Iowa are primarily juveniles. They come from known populations in Nebraska or the Black Hills of South Dakota. There has only been one documented case of an adult mountain lion in Iowa. It was a 4-year-old male from Nebraska, killed in 2013.

One of the reasons state officials believe there isn’t a residential population in Iowa is that few sightings get reported during hunting season. With thousands of hunters pursuing deer annually, biologists believe there would be an increase in sightings if mountain lions were more common in the state. However, this discounts the very solitary nature of the cat. And if so many people flock to an area, any mountain lion will likely avoid them.

The DNR has only confirmed 34 mountain lion sightings from 1995 to 2021. And most of those got shot by hunters. But in recent years, there appears to be an uptick in mountain lion sightings.

In 2017, the first confirmed female mountain lions since the 1800s appeared. A deer hunter and an employee of the DNR shot them. However, they showed up in two separate counties, so they did not come into the state together. 

And the Sheriff’s Departments in Madison and Warren counties have confirmed multiple mountain lion sightings in 2022 alone. Most of these reports occurred in more remote areas, so state officials do not believe there is a threat. 

How to Avoid Getting Attacked by a Mountain Lion in Iowa

Despite the lack of a residential mountain population in Iowa, the state is close to breeding populations. So the large feline can roam into Iowa, so it is important to understand how to handle a mountain lion encounter.

Overall, mountain lion attacks are exceedingly rare, even in states with large native populations. That said, understanding (and taking) basic safety precautions is important.

Mountain lions hunt during low-light hours and overnight. It is best to avoid outdoor activities before dawn and after dusk, if at all possible. And if you have pets or small children with you, keep them close by rather than letting them wander. 

If you do see a mountain lion, pick up any smaller companions, as this helps them appear larger. You also want to make yourself look as large as possible by raising your arms. Mountain lions often get scared off by loud human voices, so use yours. 

Slowly back up, away from the cat. But do so without turning your back or running. Either of these actions will trigger the predatory instinct of mountain lions. And fight back for all your worth in the extremely rare event you get attacked. Most people who survive mountain lion attacks do so because they fought hard. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jim Cumming/Shutterstock.com